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An aerodynamic fairing which is mountable on a strap on solid rocket motor (SRM) is configured such that in flight aero-acoustic effects are significantly reduced with regard to the launch vehicle to which the SRM is mounted and other external apparatus. The aerodynamic fairing is configured to incl

An aerodynamic fairing which is mountable on a strap on solid rocket motor (SRM) is configured such that in flight aero-acoustic effects are significantly reduced with regard to the launch vehicle to which the SRM is mounted and other external apparatus. The aerodynamic fairing is configured to include a leading edge which is substantially flat and provides the forward intersection between the inboard and outboard sides of the fairing. On mounting the fairing and SRM to a launch vehicle, the inboard surface is closest to the launch vehicle while the outboard surface is further away. With regard to the aerodynamic fairing, the transition rearward from the leading edge to a base end, the inboard surface is initially flat and transitions to the cylindrical shape of the SRM. The outboard surface of the fairing is configured such that it has a profile of a canted ogive which extends from the leading edge and smoothly transitions to the cylindrical shape of the SRM at the base end.

대표청구항 ▼

An aerodynamic fairing which is mountable on a strap on solid rocket motor (SRM) is configured such that in flight aero-acoustic effects are significantly reduced with regard to the launch vehicle to which the SRM is mounted and other external apparatus. The aerodynamic fairing is configured to incl

An aerodynamic fairing which is mountable on a strap on solid rocket motor (SRM) is configured such that in flight aero-acoustic effects are significantly reduced with regard to the launch vehicle to which the SRM is mounted and other external apparatus. The aerodynamic fairing is configured to include a leading edge which is substantially flat and provides the forward intersection between the inboard and outboard sides of the fairing. On mounting the fairing and SRM to a launch vehicle, the inboard surface is closest to the launch vehicle while the outboard surface is further away. With regard to the aerodynamic fairing, the transition rearward from the leading edge to a base end, the inboard surface is initially flat and transitions to the cylindrical shape of the SRM. The outboard surface of the fairing is configured such that it has a profile of a canted ogive which extends from the leading edge and smoothly transitions to the cylindrical shape of the SRM at the base end. first sheet through the buffer inlet while stopping the forward progress of the first sheet at the buffer exit forms the first sheet to a service loop that is longer than the path of travel. 4. A method as in claim 3 comprising opening a trap along the path of travel and forming the service loop in an open space created by the opening of the trap. 5. A method as in claim 1 comprising creating a vertical separation between the trailing end of the first sheet and the leading end of the second sheet to avoid contact therebetween during the duration of the overlap. 6. A method as in claim 1 comprising: a) disposing the buffer exit at an elevation higher than the buffer inlet and the path of travel from the inlet to the exit being an arcuate path; b) forming the first sheet to a service loop by continuing to move the first sheet through the buffer inlet while stopping the forward progress of the first sheet at the buffer exit, the service loop being longer than the path of travel; c) opening a trap along the path of travel to create a space accommodating the service loop; and d) creating a vertical separation between the trailing end of the first sheet and the leading end of the second sheet to avoid contact therebetween during the duration of the overlap, the vertical separation forming as the trailing end of the first sheet passes through the inlet drive rollers and into the space. 7. A buffer for buffering sheets moving between successive stations operating at different speeds comprising: a) inlet drive rollers for moving consecutive first and second spaced apart sheets into the buffer and in a forward direction along a path of travel to a buffer exit at a first speed; b) exit inlet rollers for moving the sheets from the buffer at a second faster speed; c) a controller operable to selectively stop the exit inlet rollers thereby stopping the forward progress of the first sheet while continuing to operate the inlet rollers such that a leading end of the second sheet overtakes a trailing end of the first sheet thereby eliminating the space between the sheets and creating an overlap of the sheets at some point in the buffer; and d) the controller operable to inlet the exit inlet rollers at the second faster speed to restore a spacing between the sheets and resolve the overlap prior to the leading end of the second sheet reaching the buffer exit. 8. A buffer as in claim 7 comprising: a) a guide defining the path of travel; and b) a trap in the guide, the trap opening to accommodate a length of the first sheet that is longer than the path of travel. 9. A buffer as in claim 7 including means for creating a vertical separation between the trailing end of the first sheet and the leading end of the second sheet during the duration of the overlap. 10. A buffer as in claim 7 wherein: a) the buffer inlet is disposed at a higher level than the buffer exit; b) guides in the buffer defining path of travel from the buffer inlet to the buffer exit; and c) one of the guides having a trap that is operable to form an opening for receiving a bowed portion of the first sheet such that the buffer can accommodate a sheet that is longer than the path of travel. 11. A buffer as in claim 10 wherein the guides define an arcuate path of travel from the buffer inlet to the buffer outlet, the disposition of the outlet at a higher level than the inlet serving to provide a vertical separation between the trailing end of the first sheet and the leading end of the second sheet during the duration of the overlap.